Wendy Perrin - Karina McNish Ireland Private Adventure
Karina McNish
Saturday 2nd August – Sunday 10th August 2025
Overview
Picturesque coastal towns and villages, green pastoral fields, soaring cliffs, wild barren landscapes, the crash of the ocean, the laugh of a local. Ireland is romantic, authentic, a home away from home where both old and modern seem to cohabit seamlessly on a small island in the middle of the sea. Packed with history and tradition your days are spent exploring the island of Ireland’s famous and off the beaten track sites of natural, cultural and political interest. A world renowned food scene means your evenings are spent dining in style and with the promise of a pub just around the corner, music and laughter are never far away. Your trip to Ireland will surprise and delight you but the people of Ireland will stay with you, long after your journey has taken you home.
Day by Day
Day 1 - Saturday 2nd August - Welcome to Dublin
Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your boutique hotel in the city centre.
Head out in the afternoon to enjoy a walk at your own leisure through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern.
Settling into one of the many historic pubs in Dublin, where the warm glow of vintage lamps and the hum of lively conversation create the perfect backdrop to enjoy a pint of freshly poured Guinness, accompanied by traditional Irish music that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Overnight: Dublin | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: Standard Twin
Meals Included: None
Day 2 - Sunday 3rd August - The City of 14 Tribes
After a leisurely breakfast, your private driver/ guide will meet you at your hotel and begin your journey west. As you arrive in the capital of culture, enjoy a walk around Galway City. Founded in the 12th century, Galway has long been a hub of commerce and culture, and its medieval heart is still visible in the narrow lanes and ancient stone buildings that line the Corrib River. Take in landmarks like the Spanish Arch, a remnant of the old city walls, and St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, dating back to 1320.
Nestled between the rolling hills and the serene waters, your stay in Connemara invites you to unwind and embrace the peaceful rhythm of the countryside. Yur guide will join you for a delicious onsite meal this evening as you raise a glass to the week ahead.
Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: Superior Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 - Monday 4th August - Traditional Cookery Workshop
Visit a small cookery school today for an authentic Irish cookery class where you’ll learn to prepare classic dishes from the heart of Ireland! Under the guidance of a local chef, you’ll master the art of making traditional favourites like hearty Irish stew, freshly baked soda bread, and rich, creamy desserts. This hands-on experience is the perfect way to immerse yourself in Ireland’s culinary heritage and enjoy a delicious meal you’ve crafted yourself!
Returning to your hotel this afternoon, you have some time to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. We recommend a walk around the estate garden or perhaps a visit to their on-site woodland sauna.
In Clifden, dinner is a relaxed affair, with hearty Irish dishes like tender lamb or rich beef stew taking centre stage. Afterwards, the lively sounds of traditional Irish music fill the air in the town’s cosy pubs, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere to end the evening.
Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: Superior Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4 - Tuesday 5th August - The Burren and The Magnificent Cliffs of Moher
Leaving Connemara this morning we track south, where rugged hills give way to the unique landscape of the Burren. This stark limestone wilderness, dotted with ancient tombs and rare wildflowers, feels almost otherworldly. As a UNESCO Global Geopark, the Burren offers a glimpse into Ireland’s deep geological history, with its strange beauty telling stories of millennia.
The Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most iconic natural wonders. Standing at the edge of these towering cliffs, rising 700 feet above the Atlantic, you’ll be awestruck by the sweeping views of the wild ocean and rugged coastline, a place where nature’s power and beauty leave a lasting impression.
Overnight: Doolin | Doolin Inn
Room Type: Deluxe Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5 - Wednesday 6th August - The Aran Islands
It’s hard to resist the allure of one of the many islands that dot the Irish coastline and today you and your guide will take to the water and ferry to The Aran Islands. The history of these islands goes back millennia and today Gaelic is still the daily spoken language of the inhabitants. The Aran islands seem to defy their size by all they have to offer: breathtaking scenery, mediaeval castles, cliffs and prehistoric forts are all to be found on this little group of islands.
Inis Mór, the largest of the three islands, is your destination today. The first port of call is a goat farm, here Gabriel, fisherman-come-goat farmer and island native will introduce you to his flock of extraordinarily cute goats. You’ll taste his award-winning cheese, but more importantly, you will leave with his wealth of knowledge on the island’s history, language and culture. We will make sure you don’t miss the incredible prehistoric cliff top fortress at Dun Aenghus as well as some hidden spots along the island’s shore.
Overnight: Doolin | Doolin Inn
Room Type: Deluxe Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6 - Thursday 7th August - Clare to Killarney
We depart the county of Clare today, tracking south and into what locals affectionately call ‘The Kingdom of Kerry”. We have options to stop in the pretty little town of Adare with its traditional thatched roofed cottages and local artisan shops for a walk and browse, or we can opt to cross the mouth of the river Shannon by car ferry, delivering us into Kerry in style.
Our afternoon destination is the bustling market town of Killarney in the heart of Killarney National Park. Surrounded by the highest mountain range in Ireland, Killarney is famed for its beauty and stunning scenery, including am epic mountain pass descending into the valley below.
Your guide will join you both for dinner this evening and toast your final night together.
Overnight: Killarney | Killarney Royal Hotel
Room Type: Royal Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 - Friday 8th August - Explore Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is the most famous of Ireland’s national parks – and with good reason, as it is flourishing with breathtaking mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Historic manor houses and abbeys make for an interesting visit but Killarney is best explored via a private boat trip across the lake with a boatman whose furry friends join him daily. Before leaving Killarney we suggest you step back into the past on Muckross Traditional Farms and visit a very different Ireland – the Ireland of the 1930s and 1940s. Then, a trip to the well was still a daily chore for the housewife and electricity had yet to be introduced to the countryside.
This evening, why not check out some of the local hotels and event centres for an Irish show?
Your guide will say goodbye to you this evening, allowing you to relax and enjoy your remaining time in Ireland unguided.
Overnight: Killarney | Killarney Royal Hotel
Room Type: Royal Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8 - Saturday 9th August - Killarney to Dublin
Enjoy your final morning in Killarney, perhaps with a walk around the shops, picking up some last-minute gifts before a private transfer takes you back to Dublin where you will check into your hotel for your final night in Ireland.
we have some great restaurant suggestions for you for Dublin to help celebrate your last night in Ireland.
*If preferred, there are regular train links to Dublin from the station near your hotel.
Overnight: Dublin | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: Standard Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9 - Sunday 10th August - Depart Ireland
A private airport transfer will take you to the airport this morning in time for your departure flights back to the US.
We hope your time in Irland has been memorable and we welcome the chance to have you come explore with us once again.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip Details
- Inclusions
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- All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 9
- Most meals as indicated above, breakfast & lunch when guided and two evening meals with your guide
- Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 2 to Day 7
- Ground transportation from Day 2 to Day 7
- Airport Transfer on arrival and departure Dublin
- Private transfer Killarney to Dublin
- All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Private Cookery Workshop
- Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre Public Entrance
- Private Guided Day with Goat Farm on Inis Mor
- Private Boat Tour on Killarney Lakes
- Muckross House Public Entrance
- Personalised trip design and delivery
- Snacks throughout the trip
- 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
- Exclusions
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- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
- Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
- Gratuities for the main driver guide
- Notes
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- All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
- A 25% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed
- This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision
- Optional Upgrades
-
Room upgrades are available upon request
- Pricing
-
The per-person cost for the above itinerary, based on two people sharing is €8,960 pp.
Please note a Wilderness Conservation and Community Fund contribution of €12 pp is included.
If you wish to opt-out, please let your trip designer know.
Get in Touch
Wendy Perrin – Karina McNish Ireland Private Adventure
Saturday 2nd August – Sunday 10th August 2025